JDS968

That's why it has FOURTH gear!

That's the thing about turbocharged cars...if you want to drive at a fixed speed and get great mileage, just upshift and keep the revs too low for the turbo to spool, it's like driving a naturally aspirated car of the same displacement. If you want response, you're going to need to downshift...but if you don't want to have to deal with upshifting and downshifting, maybe you should just be driving an automatic?

Or a 968?

Why's that? A 968 with a set of equal-length headers and the accompanying ECU reflash will deliver the same 250 horsepower and about the same fuel economy as a stock 951S, with more space under the hatch, better suspension, an extra gear, and better looks to boot.

Is the mod to share the same physical space with another solid object a DIY, or do I have to find a Porsche specialist shop for that one?

Tire compound is independent of car choice, there's nothing stopping him from getting the same kind of tires he'd run on any other car he chooses for this task. And for what it's worth, my A/C is icy cold...doesn't the 951 have the same A/C system? Stereo sucks, though, that I can't argue with.

Thom

Just a chipset (eg 951Max) + 3.0bar FPR + shimmed wastegate + MBC on a stock 944T allows for almost the same engine response at low revs as the 3.0 16V NA engine, and that is with the taller gearing of the turbo.

JohnKoaWood

FWIW, I have used my 944 and/or 951 for the last 3 years, 140 miles a day, often more..

my 944 has seen 15000 miles in the last 5 months alone.

knock out rubber and plastic part replacement, keep on top of scheduled maintenance and these cars are pure joy to drive any distance.. every day..

twice a week, I would do it in a heart beat!

p5th

+1

User 52121

I've taken my 951 on many all-day excursions (trips up to Road America take 3-4 hours if I take the back roads, and my wife and I do a lot of Rallyes with the PCA which have us in the car for 5-6 hours at a time.)

No complaints from me or my wife. Comfortable car. Loves to stretch its legs and cruise on the highway.

pettybird

Why does everyone rip on the stereo? It's not exactly the new Burmester stereo in the Panamera, but by normal car standards the 10 speaker stereo in my car fills my car with some pretty decent sound. I put a new head unit in it (and wow did that make a difference) and I plan on replacing the rear speakers with a nice set of MB Quarts and an amp in spring, but the sound quality is a lot better than that in a Kia, Civic, run-of-the-mill family cars, etc. Yes, you can get amazing stereos with tremendous volume on many cars today, but I'm still impressed with my 21 year old car. The only factory stereo from the era I know of that comes close is the JBL setup in the Taurus SHO.

Did I get a magic set of speakers, or does every other 10 speaker stereo car on the planet take on water like the Titanic?

User 52121

Can't say I've seen many people ripping on the stereo in the 951 *shrug*

I have no idea how good/bad the stock stereo sounds. My car had a system in it at some point (as evidenced by the wiring I found along the floor when I swapped out my tan carpet for black, and the fact that there are Bostons w/caps in the doors) so all the stock stuff is long since gone. I'd consider myself a sort of junior audiophile and I didn't bother doing anything with the Porsche aside from put in an updated basic Alpine head unit (specifically so I could have Bluetooth hands-free.) It sounds tinny (caps on the speakers w/no subs) but I generally have the radio turned off when I drive the Porsche - I prefer to just listen and enjoy the drive. The only time the radio is on is when the wife is with me, and she doesn't like it loud so it's not like the system would really be "used" anyways.

Cajun

Thanks for all of the replies gentlemen.

I figured that the 951, like my 911s, would be dead reliable as long as it was/is well cared for. It also seems that I can expect somewhere between 25 - 30mpg on an extended commute provided I am mature the majority of the time.

I am scheduled to take a closer look at the car early next week. Knowing me, if I pull the trigger it won't be long afterwards that I start modding the suspension for some future DE action.

86 951 Driver

For the stereo there is no low end. I have the stock 86 stereo which sucked. i put in a Kenwood KIV-900 BT. It has bluetooth and everything I need. I replaced the front speakers with alpine 4x6's and will be adding an 8" sub to give me some low end. I should be good after that. Just update it a little and you will be satisfied with the results trust me having a crappy stereo makes drives unbearable.

Dougs951

I take my 951 on trips all the time and it was my DD for a year or so. I loved it.

And +1 on the stereo, I put new front speakers and 6.5's in the rear and was really happy. Of course I then added a 10" sub, then a new headunit, then more sound deadening, then another headunit.... Its just a never ending cycle.

pettybird

OK the NON-premium stereo isn't good at all...my '87 has that, and my '80 has the three speaker setup!

Get a car with the premium sound and it's amazingly better.

ELLSSUU

Cajun,

Where are you located? There are a couple of us 951 drivers in the area.

Cajun

I'm in New Orleans on the Lakefront. Looks like you have a pretty stout 951! I would love to check it out sometime!

ELLSSUU

Nice. I'm across the lake from you.